Javokhir Sindarov on the Turning Points Behind His Candidates Triumph and His World Championship Ambition
After winning the 2026 FIDE Candidates Tournament, Javokhir Sindarov moved firmly into the spotlight of the chess world. In an extensive interview given to Charlize van Zyl for FIDE, the Uzbek grandmaster spoke about the background of his success, his preparation process and his goals for the future. Sindarov stressed that this was not only a personal achievement, but also a result that created a wave of national pride in Uzbekistan. According to him, his phone was flooded with messages immediately after the tournament, as his family, friends, federation officials and government representatives all celebrated the historic victory.
One of the most striking parts of Sindarov's account was his description of the atmosphere after round thirteen. The young grandmaster said the result meant something extraordinary both for himself and for Uzbekistan, adding that he was especially surprised when the president called the next day to congratulate him. Considering the rise of Uzbek chess in recent years, this success hardly looks accidental. The country's investment in development, the exposure of young talents to strong events at an early age, and a disciplined training culture have all helped players like Sindarov emerge on the world stage. In that sense, this Candidates victory was not just a tournament triumph, but also a symbol of Uzbek chess's long-term ascent.
From a chess perspective, the most valuable part of the interview was the insight Sindarov offered into his approach to preparation and the training structure he uses with his team. As the source text suggests, modern elite preparation is no longer based only on memorising endless variations; clear plans, typical positions, strategic themes and attacking motifs have become even more important. Sindarov's embrace of this approach helps explain why he remained so solid throughout a marathon event like the Candidates. Converting small opening edges with the right middlegame plans, understanding the value of a draw in critical moments, and managing risk with precision were all decisive factors on his road to first place. His remarks on the importance of the draw against Fabiano Caruana also underlined once again the psychological and strategic weight of every half-point in top-level tournament chess.
Sindarov's comments also make it clear that he has no intention of relaxing after this achievement. He said that winning the Candidates after already capturing the World Cup has given him enormous motivation, and he now hopes to win the World Championship match before the end of the year. That statement reflects not only confidence, but also a strong desire to establish himself permanently among the elite. In modern chess, winning the Candidates means the real test is only beginning; opening preparation, psychological resilience, match strategy and endgame technique are all examined far more severely in a world title clash. Through his words and results so far, Sindarov is presenting himself not merely as a tournament winner, but as a player aiming to leave a lasting mark at the very top of the game.